Chapter Eighteen (Vanessa)

When I cannot find Carolyn anywhere I decide to go up to the attic, maybe she is visiting Captain. When I get there I see that she is cleaning the room, it seems she is going through Captain's things. I hope she does not plan to throw out his stuff! I know he treasures his things, even if they are dusty! There is a big chest in this room and she is upset because the Captain will not let her look in it.

Carolyn has met a strange woman in town; I do not know what to think of her. She is young, and seems pretty for a human. Carolyn is ready to fight Captain so the woman can stay, but he seems happy to let the girl stay. What is happening? Captain doesn't like guests in his home, but he looks at this one differently. His gaze is softer, kinder. What is wrong with him? I think he likes her. Why does that bother me?

She comes to our house and I find out her name is Vanessa. She wakes me up and I run off, mostly because Captain startled me. Vanessa likes the picture of the Captain, and then reads something that he wrote to another woman. Carolyn is upset with the intruder. She looks dismayed when Vanessa comes down the stairs dressed in old clothes. I guess she is wearing clothes from the big chest that Captain would not let her look in. This means something to her that I do not understand. That is when Carolyn realizes this Vanessa looks just like Captain's old love. I think she is jealous. Captain mentions something about reincarnation. I don't know what that is either. Carolyn wants Vanessa to leave, Captain insists that she stay. Carolyn changes her mind, decides it is time for us to leave. I think it is because Captain likes Vanessa. But I do not understand this as I know Captain is fond of Carolyn. Maybe he doesn't love her after all?

I know that Carolyn is very upset. Captain is being dense. He talks to her about a present and then says he will give it to Vanessa! I'm a dog and even I know that is wrong! Even worse, he asks Carolyn to give it to Vanessa. I just now understand that she is starting to love Captain that is why she wants to leave. She thinks he loves someone else.

It is time to take things into my paws, I find Captain on balcony looking at the sea, and I bark at him. He gives me an annoyed look, so I bark again. He will talk to me!

"Scruffy, be quiet."

No. I need to talk to you.

"Why?" he frowned at me.

Stop hurting Carolyn.

"Hurt her?" he seemed a bit baffled.

Stupid, stupid, stupid, I muttered under my dog breath. I think she is falling for you.

"You think what?" he seemed stunned.

You know what I said and I know you love her.

"Why I never said that, I never…"

Stop, okay? I heard you the first night we were here. I know how you feel. I looked at him with my wise terrier eyes. What about Vanessa?

"Vanessa?" he seemed confused.

Carolyn thinks you love her and want to be with her.

"She thinks what?" He rubbed his chin. "How could she believe that?"

Think about how you've been acting since she showed up.

"Well, I have been rather taken with her. She's so lovely, a sweet memory from my past."

What about your present? Your future? Do you want Carolyn and the rest of us here with you? Or Vanessa?

"Are you sure you're a dog?" he looked at me and shook his head.

Terrier and yes. Do not hurt her. Decide and live with it. Then I leave him with his thoughts.

Captain finally understands he is hurting Carolyn and arranges another plan by writing a letter for Vanessa to find. Vanessa is upset and says she is leaving, and she does. None of us are sorry to see her go. Somehow my mistress knows that Captain has ended his interest in Vanessa. They are happy again and we are not leaving. These two make me crazy. Why won't they admit how they feel about one another?